Accra: Mr. Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, the Deputy Minister for the Interior, has emphasized the need for the swift passage of the Legislative Instrument (LI) to operationalize the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019). He highlighted the necessity for Ghana to transition from policy commitments to implementing reforms that address drug use as a public health and human rights issue.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Terlabi was speaking at the Second National Dialogue on Drug Policy, Human Rights and Public Health, organized by the Narcotics Control Commission (NACOC) and partners in Accra. The theme was 'Advancing from Law into Implementation.' He noted that despite the country's significant step in passing Act 1019, its full potential remains unrealized due to implementation inconsistencies. This has resulted in individuals entering the criminal justice system for minor drug-related offenses, where alternative interventions should be available.
Mr. Terlabi pointed out credible evidence indicating that thousands are living with substance use disorders without access to necessary health and social services. He noted that issues like low HIV testing, preventable infections, and increasing overdoses are prevalent. The fear of arrest, stigma, and discrimination discourage drug users from seeking healthcare, signaling systemic failures.
He emphasized that addressing stigma must become a national priority through implementing existing strategies, institutional reforms, sector-wide training, and enhanced accountability. Adopting a health-centered approach would not weaken law enforcement but rather strengthen it by allowing authorities to focus on organized criminal networks while directing individuals with substance use disorders to appropriate care.
The Deputy Minister identified the absence of the necessary LI to implement Act 1019 as a significant obstacle to effective service delivery. The regulations would provide the legal clarity, coordination, and accountability required for drug demand reduction and harm reduction interventions. He mentioned that the proposed Narcotics Control Commission (Drug Demand and Harm Reduction) Regulations, 2026, have been submitted to the Office of the Attorney General for consideration.
Mr. Terlabi acknowledged civil society organizations and researchers' contributions to advancing drug policy reforms and urged continued collaboration to ensure policies reflect affected communities' realities. He called on stakeholders to move beyond dialogue and commit to actions that would translate policy into practice, highlighting the country's obligation to fully implement the reforms envisioned under Act 1019.
Major General Maxwell Obuba Mantey, the Director-General of NACOC, called for stronger collaboration among government, civil society, development partners, and healthcare professionals to fully implement Ghana's drug policy reforms and address emerging drug threats. He stated that while the Narcotics Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) established a modern legal framework balancing law enforcement with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and social reintegration, the immediate priority should be its effective implementation.
Major General Mantey noted that the first national dialogue marked a turning point in Ghana's drug policy approach by uniting various stakeholders to rethink the country's response to substance use and drug trafficking. He stressed that Act 1019 recognizes substance use disorders as a public health issue while maintaining a firm stance against drug trafficking and organized crime, with implementation being the current priority.
He mentioned that the dialogue assessed progress since the first meeting, examined emerging threats such as synthetic drugs, addressed stigma and discrimination, strengthened collaboration between justice and health sectors, and identified practical actions to advance Ghana's harm reduction and treatment agenda.
The Director-General highlighted the evolving global drug problem characterized by the rise of synthetic drugs and increasingly sophisticated criminal networks, necessitating innovative, coordinated, and adaptive responses. He expressed confidence that through collective action, Ghana would remain at the forefront of implementing a balanced drug policy that protects public safety, promotes public health, and upholds human rights.